Dispenser for viscous substance, with an axially movable piston and a manually operated actuator for said piston



June 19, 1951 J. w. CRIPE 2,557,374

DISPENSER FOR VISCOUS SUBSTANCE, WITH AN AXIALLY MOVABLE PISTON AND A MANUALLY-OPERATED ACTUATOR FOR SAID PISTON Filed June 29, 1946 i-: 1. ai 1P INVENTOR John, W Gripe BY 04W MYQ ATTORNEYS Patented June 19, 1 951 DISPENSER FOR VISCOUS SUBSTANCE, WITH AN AXIALLY MOVABLE PISTON AND A MANUALLY OPERATED ACTUA- TOR FOR SAID PISTON John W. Gripe, Bayside, N. Y., assignor to West Disinfecting Company, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 29, 1946, Serial No. 680,444

8 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of dispensing devices and particularly to a device for dispensing measured quantities of cleansing cream, soap, grease, paste and other materials of a like consistency.

Where a dispenser for the above uses is not airtight and its interior is exposed to air during the filling thereof, the contents of the dispenser tend to harden and block the outlet, thereby preventing the dispenser from operating properly and causing the contents to become dusty and dirty due to the exposure.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a rugged and compact device of neat appearance that will dispense measured quantities of material of a fairly thick consistency, that will keep the contents thereof clean and free from dust and dirt, that will not clog, that affords a clean and efiicient method of filling, and that has few moving parts and is inexpensive and easy to construct and service.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. l is a front view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the dispenser includes a housing H comprising two sections; a cover portion l4 substantially cylindrical in shape, having a rounded dome 83 and parallel side walls 84, 85, and open at the bottom and rear thereof, and a back panel E3, to which the cover portion is removably fitted, the lateral edges l2 of said back panel protruding beyond the cover for mounting purposes. A horizontal ledge ll, integral with and near the upper end of said back panel at the center thereof, extends forward from the inner wall. A base I? is integral with the back panel and serves as the lower support for actuator guide rod 51 which is vertically mounted between said base H and ledge Guide rod 5! has a shoulder at the lower end thereof forming a root portion 60 which fits into a corresponding hole 6| in base ll. The upper end of rod 51 fits into a hole 62 at the end of ledge ll. Stop plate 63 superposed over and affixed to ledge I! by screw 64 covers the upper end of guide rod 51 and prevents vertical displacement thereof.

Slidingly mounted on guide rod 51 is right angled actuator 52, having a horizontal portion 53 which has a yoke 55 at the end thereof and a vertical portion 56 forming a sleeve which surrounds a portion of said guide rod '51. A spiral spring 58 having its lower end in contact with base ll of back panel l3 as at 59 surrounds the lower portion of guide rod 51 and reacts against the lower end of the vertical portion 56 of the actuator to exert an upward pressure thereon.

Longitudinally of the back panel 13 on the inner wall thereof are a pair of stiffening ribs l5. Integral with and at approximately the midpoint of said ribs are a pair of transversely aligned bearings It which rotatably carry rock shaft 67 mounted thereon. A yoke is securely afilxed by pin 66 to said rock shaft, the arms ll of said yoke encompassing the lower end of the sleeve 58 of actuator 52 and fitting between flanges 12 thereon.

A stop 13 comprising a metal strip terminating in end portions or ears 13' bent at right angles to the base thereof is superposed on said yoke and idly mounted on rock shaft 61 between bearings It so that the rock shaft passes through said ears. The width of the base of said strip that rests on the yoke is so selected that the base will become wedged between the inner wall of the back panel l3 and the top of the yoke as at Bl when the .arms ll of the yoke pivot upwardly to a predetermined position, thereby limiting such motion.

A handle 58 is aflixed to the flanged end 10 of the rock shaft 61 by screw 69 and affords means by which the arms H of yoke 65 may be lowered.

Contained within and preferably integral with the front 36 of said cover portion I4 is cylindrical container [8. Afiixed to the bottom of said container by means of engaging screw threads I9 is a funnel shaped portion 20, having a spout 2| at the lower end thereof. The inside of the spout is constructed so as to have a measuring chamber 22 feeding into an outlet .23.

Affixed to said spout by engaging screw threads 24, is nozzle 25. The nozzle includes a ball valve 21 resting on and seated by spring 26 against the mouth 28 of outlet 23 normally to close the latter.

Mounted to reciprocate in container 18 is vertical plunger rod 29 having a peripheral groove 55 near the upper end thereof. The upper end of said plunger rod passes through an axial opening 30 in the top wall of the cylinder I8. The lower end of the plunger rod preferably has a ball joint socket into which fits the correspond- 3 ing ball end 3| of plunger 32 of nearly the same diameter as the measuring chamber 22.

Located within the cylinder I8 and slidingly mounted on plunger rod 29 is floating piston 33, comprising a bearing 34 surrounding said plunger rod 29 and supporting a flexible cup 35 preferably of chloroprene rubber, but which may be of soft leather or other suitable material, a dished spring 36 beneath said flexible, cup, and a support plate 31 on top of said flexible cup.

Opening 35 at the top of container I8 and bearing 34 are longitudinally aligned, thereby ensuring that plunger 32 will be substantially longitudinally aligned with measuring chamber 22. Ball joint 3| obviates the need for precise manufacturing alignment of the plunger with measuring chamber 22.

Floating piston 33 is proportioned to slide freely within container I8 and is limited in its downward movement by a lock ring 38 encompassin and firmly aflixed to the plunger rod beneath the piston. Enclosed in container I8 and riding on the top of the piston is coil spring 39 preferably a conical spring as shown, which exerts a constant downward pressure on the piston. As the piston is forced against the contents of the container by spring 39, the periphery of the flexible cup will be urged outwardly, thereby making an airtight seal at the circumference thereof.

Mounted on side 84 of the housing H is filling assembly 40 feeding into an opening near the bottom of container I8. The filler assembly comprises a valve fitting 4| having a flange 42 at the mouth end thereof and a lip 43 at the outlet end thereof. A spring 44 rests on lip 43 and holds ball 45 against ball retainer or'seat 46 which is screwed into the mouth of valve fitting 4|. A removable cap 41 is also screwed in the mouth securely to close the opening and prevent possible leakage. Valve fitting 4| is securely held in an opening I4 in the side of housing II by means of locknut 48, the threaded portion of which engages corresponding screw threads 49 at the flange end of said fitting, thereby clamping the fitting to the housing by virtue of the sandwiching-efiect of fiange42 and locknut 48.

An elbow 49 has one end affixed to the outlet of valve fitting 4| by means of engaging screw threads 50, and its other end securely affixed to opening 5| in container I8, thereby affording a path for the charging of material from the mouth of the valve fitting into the container.

Lock ring 38 heretofore mentioned is so placed on plunger rod 29 as to maintain the piston above the opening 5| in the side of the container even when plunger 32 has been pushed to the end of its downward stroke.

Assembly For assembly, the root end of actuator guide rod 51 is partially inserted through hole 62 in ledge ll of back panel I3. Actuator sleeve 56 is then slid over the lower end of guide rod. 51. Spring 58 is then fitted on the rod beneaththe sleeve 56 and the root end 60 of the guide rod is then placed in hole 6| in the base ll of the back panel I3. Cover plate 63 is then. afiixed upon ledge H by screw 64, thereby preventing rod 51 from moving vertically. Yoke 65 is aifixed by means of pin 66 to rock shaft 61 mounted in bearings I6 so that the arms of the yoke fit between flanges 12, on the lower end of actuator sleeve 56. Stop I3 is also mountedon said.:rock

shaft between bearings I6. so that thebase 80;,

of said stop is resting on the top of yoke 65.

Plunger rod 29 is inserted upward through bearing 34 of the piston assembly 33 which is then introduced into cylinder I8, so that look ring 38 affixed to said plunger rod is beneath said piston. Funnel 20 is now affixed to the bottom of the container I8 by means of engaging screw threads I9 with assembled nozzle 26 on the spout 2| of said funnel.

The assembled valve fitting 4D is inserted through an opening I4 on side wall 84 of the cover portion I4 of the housing and lock nut 48 is placed thereon. The valve fitting is then screwed into the threaded end 50 of elbow 49 previously afiixed at 5| to said container. Lock nut 48 is then tightened, thereby clamping valve fitting 40 to the side of the housing.

"Cover portion I4 is then fitted against back panel I3 so that the yoke end of actuator 52 encompasses the peripheral groove 55 on the upper end of plunger rod 29. The cover portion is guided into proper position by longitudinal guide ribs 82 integral with and on the inner wall of back I3 near the side edges thereof which are encompassed by the side walls of cover portion I4. A slot 15 in the side wall of said cover allows it to pass over the protruding end of rock shaft 61.

Cover portion I4 is securely afiixed to back panel I3 by means of screws 1! which are inserted through holes I8 in said back panel and screwed into horizontal bosses I9 integral with the inner sides of said cover portion near the rear edges thereof.

Handle 58 is then affixed to rock shaft 67, and the dispenser is ready for filling and use.

Operation The operation of the dispenser may be briefly summarized as follows: The material to be dispensed is forced into the filler assembly 40 by conventional means such as a grease gun fitted to the mouth of valve fitting 4| after removal of cap 4'1. The pressure caused by the material forced into valve fitting 4| will displace ball 45 from its seat 46, thereby affording a clear passage through the valve fitting and elbow 49 into container I8 by Way of opening or port 5|. The container is sealed at its nozzle end 25 by means of ball 2? held against its seat in the mouth of outlet 23by the pressure of spring 2'6. The relative tensions of springs 26 and 39 are such that when the material is forced into the container, piston 33 will be forced upwards, thereby compressing spring 39 While spring 26 will still hold ball 2? on its seat.

When piston 33 has been forced to the limit of its upward movement by the injection of material into the container, any further filling will displace ball 21 from its seat with emission of cream, soap or grease, indicating that the container is full. When the pressure injection means are removed from the valve fitting 4|, the tension of spring 44 will force ball 45 against its seat 48, thereby sealing said valve fitting, and cap 41 is screwed into the mouth of the valve fitting to prevent any possible leakage.

In the standby position, actuator 52 is forced by spring 53 to its uppermost position as limited by stop l3. The arms II of yoke 65 which coact with flanges 72 on the end of sleeve 56 also are raised as is the end I6 of handle 68. Plunger 32 mounted at the end of plunger rod 29 is positioned by the lifting of actuator 52, directly above measuring chamber 22. The downward pressure of piston 33 caused by spring SS-is'suflicient to assist in the filling of measuring chamber 22 and outlet 23 but not enough to depress spring 26 and open valve 27.

In use, the end 15 of handle 58 is depressed, causing rock shaft 6'! to turn, so that its yoke 65 forces actuator 52 downward against the pressure of spring 58. Plunger 29 connected at its top end to horizontal portion 53 of actuator 52 is forced downward through bearing 3 in piston 33, thereby forcing the plunger 32 into measuring chamber 22 and thus exerting pressure upon the material in said chamber, forcing ball 2'? from its seat, and ejecting the quantity of material contained in measuring chamber 22. The downward pressure of the piston on the contents of the container urges the periphery of flexible cup 35 outwardly, thereby making a tight seal against the walls of the container. The pressure upon the contents of the container will force any air out through the space between the inner walls of bearing 34 and plunger rod 29 and thereby keep the portion of the container below the piston substantially solidly packed, without air pockets.

When the plunger has reached the lower limit of its thrust, the compression of the material contained in measuring chamber 22 ceases and spring 26 forces ball 27 back onto its seat and closes the aperture in nozzle 22. When handle 68 is released, the tension of spring 58 will force the actuator upwards to the limit of stop 13, thereby raising plunger rod 29 and withdrawing plunger 32 from measuring chamber 22. As the plunger 32 has virtually an airtight fit in measuring chamber 22, when it is withdrawn, a partial vacuum is created in said measuring chamber, so that more material is drawn into the measuring chamber, aided by the pressure of conical spring 39 which causes piston 33 to descend and remain in contact with the paste and the dispenser is ready for its next use.

The dispensing unit is neat and compact, the entire mechanism being enclosed by the cover portion which keeps the parts free from dirt or injury. In the event the unit has to be serviced, it may be easily disassembled by unscrewing screws ll and removing cover portion Hi thereby exposing the entire mechanism.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing fromthe scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pa ent of the United States is:

1. A dispensing device comprising a housing, soid housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, longitudinal supporting ribs integral with the inner face of said back panel and concealed by said cover portion, bearings mounted on said supporting ribs, a container Within said cover portion, a plunger rod having an end adapted to be reciprocated in said container, means slidably mounted on said plunger rod in frictional engagement with the walls of said container and riding on the contents thereof for compressing the same, means extending from a side of said housing for actuating said plunger rod, means operatively connecting said actuating means and said plunger rod, said actuating means being carried by said bearings, a measuring chamber at the bottom of said container encompassing the end of said plunger rod when it is actuated, an outlet for said measuring chamber, and means for preventing the opening of said outlet except when the plunger rod is actuated.

2. A dispensing device comprising a housing, said housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, longitudinal supporting ribs integral with the inner face of said back panel and concealed-by said cover portion, bearings mounted on said supporting ribs, a container within said cover portion, a plunger rod having an end adapted to be reciprocated in said container, means slidably mounted on said plunger rod in frictional engagement with the walls of said container and riding on the contents thereof for compressing the same, a funnel shaped portion aifixed to the base of said container, a spout at the end of said funnel shaped portion, said spout comprising a measuring chamber and an outlet therefrom, means journalled in said bearings and extending from a side of said housing for driving the end of said plunger rod into said measuring chamber, means operatively connecting said driving means and said plunger rod, a nozzle affixed to the end of said spout, and means for closing said nozzle.

3. A dispensing device comprising a housing, said housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, longitudinal supporting ribs integral with the inner face of said back panel and concealed by said cover portion, bearings mounted on said supporting ribs, a container within said cover portion, a plunger having a plunger rod thereabove, means slidably mounted on said plunger rod in frictional engagement with the walls of said container and riding on the contents thereof for compressing the same, a spout at the base of said container, said spout comprising a measuring chamber and an outlet therefrom, a nozzle aihxed to said spout, means for closing said nozzle, means journalled in said bearings and extending from a side of said housing for actuating said plunger rod and driving the plunger into said measuring chamber, means operatively connecting said actuating means and said plunger rod, and means for raising and holding said plunger rod with said plunger at a level above said measuring chamber.

4. A dispensing device for material of a thick consistency comprising a housing, said housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, a container within said cover portion, a plunger rod therefor adapted to be reciprocated in said container, a plunger at the lower end thereof, a floating piston slidably mounted on said plunger rod and riding on the contents of said container, a spring reacting against the upper face of said piston, a stop afiixed to said plunger rod and limiting the downward movement of said piston thereon, a filling inlet for said container, said filling inlet being located below said piston, a nozzle afiixed to the base of said container, means extending from a side of said housing to actuate said plunger rod, means operatively connecting said actuating means and said plunger rod, thereby to actuate the plunger to discharge said material through said nozzle, and means to close said nozzle when said plunger is not actuated.

5. A dispensing device comprising a housing including a back panel and a cover portion having parallel side walls, said back panel having a base plate integral therewith, a horizontal ledge integral with and near the upper end of said back panel, a pair of longitudinal supporting ribs integral with the inner face of said back panel, a bearing mounted on each of said sup porting ribs, and a pair of longitudinal guide ribs integral with the inner side of saidback panel near the outer-edge thereof, said cover enclosing said back panel, the parallel sides thereof encompassing said longitudinal guide ribs, means to affix said cover portion to said back panel, a cylindrical container integral with and within said cover portion, a funnel shaped portion having a spout afiixed to the bottom of said container, a plunger rod having a plunger mounted-to reciprocate in said container, means slidably mounted on said plunger rod in frietional engagement with the walls of said container and riding on the contents thereof for compressing the-same, reciprocating means supported by said bearings to drive said plunger into said spout and a transmission from said reciproeating means to said plunger rod supported by said base plate and said ledge.

6. A dispensing device comprising a housing, said housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, longitudinal supporting ribs integral with the inner face of said back panel, bearings mounted on said supporting ribs, a container withinsaid cover portion, a plunger rod having an end adapted to be reciprocated in said container, a funnel shaped portion affixed to the base of said container, a spout at the end oi said funnel shaped portion, said spout compris ing a measuring chamber and an outlet there from, means for reciprocating said plunger rod and driving the end thereof into said measurin chamber, said means comprising a vertical ac tuator guide rod between said back panel and said container, a right angled actuator having a hori zontal and vertical portion, the horizontal portion being connected to the upper end of said plunger rod and the vertical portion riding said guide rod, a rock shaft rotatably carrie by said bearings, a yoke aflixed to said roc' shaft between said bearings, the arms of said yoke encompassing the vertical portion of said actuator and operatively connected thereto, means to limit the upward movement of said actuator, and a handle extending from a side of said housing and affixed to said rock shaft to depress the arms of said yoke, thereby lowering said plunger rod.

7. A dispensing device comprising a housing, said housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, longitudinal supporting ribs in-- tcgral with the inner face of said back panel, bearings mounted on said supporting ribs, a con tainer within said cover portion, a plunger having a plunger rod thereabove, means slidably mounted on said plunger rod in frictional engagement with the walls of said container and riding on the contents thereof for compressing the same, a spout at the base of said container, said spout comprising a measuring chamber and an outlet therefrom, a nozzle affixed to said spout, means for closing said nozzle, means jour-- nalled in said bearings and extending from a side of said housing for actuating said plunger rod and driving the plunger into said measuring chamber, said last named means comprising a vertical actuator guide rod, a right angled actuator having a horizontal and a vertical portion, the horizontal portion being conneced to the upper end of said plunger rod and the vertical portion having flanges at the lower end thereof, said vertical portion riding on said guide rod, a rockshaft rotatably carried by said bearings, a yoke aflixed to said rock shaft between said bearings, the arms of said yoke encompassing the vertical portion of said actuator between said flanges, means to limit the upward movement of said actuator, and a handle extending from a side of said housing and afiixed to said rock shaft to depress the arms of said yoke and means for raising and holding said plunger rod with said plunger at a level above said measuring chamber.

8. A dispensing device comprising a housing, said housing comprising a back panel and a cover portion, longitudinal supporting ribs integral with the inner face of said back panel, bearings mounted on said supporting ribs, a container within said cover portion, a plunger having a plunger rod thereabove, means slidably mounted on said plunger rod in frictional engagement with the walls of said container and riding on the contents thereof for compressing the same, a spout at the base of said container, said spout comprising a measuring chamber and an outlet therefrom, a nozzle affixed to said spout, means for closing said nozzle, means journalled in said bearings and extending from a side of said housing for actuating said plunger rod and driving the plunger into said measuring chamber, and means for raising and holding said plunger rod with said plunger at a level above said measuring chamber, said last named means comprising a vertical actuator guide rod, a right angled actuator having a horizontal and a vertical portion, the horizontal portion being connected to the upper end of said plunger rod and the vertical portion forming a sleeve and idly surrounding a portion of said actuator guide rod, a spring surrounding the lower portion of said actuator guide rod, the lower end of said spring resting on the base of said housing and the upper end of said spring pressing against the lower end of the sleeve, thereby forcing the aetuator upwards and with it the plunger rod.

JOHN W. CRIPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 682,680 Fribourg Sept. 17, 1901 1,903,750 Bacher et al Apr. 18, 1933 1,972,161 Parker Sept. 4, 1934 2,361,125 Rotter et a1 Oct. 24, 1944 2,384,949 Menges Sept. 18, 1945 2,394,488 Rotter et al. Feb. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 641,517 France Aug. 6, 1928 

